Development of twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers in the edible cockle Cerastoderma edule (Bivalvia: Cardiidae)

Twelve polymorphic microsatellites were isolated and characterized from a genomic library enriched for ATC in the commercially important cockle Cerastoderma edule. The microsatellite loci were analyzed in a sample of 30 individuals collected from Oosterschelde, The Netherlands. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 17, and the values of observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.024 to 0.900 and from 0.399 to 0.885, respectively. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between loci and seven conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These microsatellite loci will be useful for assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in C. edule and will help in the sustainable management of this resource.